He played in local groups such as Teddy Joyce's Juveniles and the Royal Kiltie Juniors,[3] before founding his own ensemble whilst still in his teens.
During World War II he played in the Bomber Command Band of the RAF, then arranged for Ted Heath and Cyril Stapleton after 1945.
He published a book, the Reg Owen Arranging Method, in 1956,[4] and began writing film scores in 1957, including the scores to Date with Disaster, (1957), There's Always a Thursday, (1957), Payroll (1961) and Very Important Person (1961).
In 1959, he even scored a Top 10 hit in the U.S. with "Manhattan Spiritual", which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
[1] In 1961 Owen moved to Brussels, working as a composer, conductor, and arranger throughout continental Europe.